Hunting planned for Squamish Estuary

Programming coming together for 2008 or 2009

Fudd for Thought The Ministry of Environment is prepared to allow hunting in the Squamish Estuary on a trial basis in 2008 and 2009 with the goal of establishing a regular hunting season for the wetland complex.

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) is putting together a plan to
allow hunting in the Squamish Estuary on a trial basis in 2008 or 2009 with the
goal of unveiling a regular season in the near future.

According to a recently letter from MOE to the District of
Squamish, the idea was first discussed during a recent dedication ceremony that
saw the Estuary designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

“Along with the Squamish Estuary Management Committee, member
groups and agencies, we have long anticipated resolution of these important
wildlife management safety issues,” reads the letter, which is dated June 30
and signed by Jennifer McGuire, the Lower Mainland’s regional manager of
environmental stewardship.

Catherine Jackson, president of the Squamish Environmental
Conservation Society (SECS), supports the decision, mainly because it’s a
product of consensus at the estuary management committee level.

“Hunting has some historical context that shouldn’t be
forgotten,” she said. “It’s a result of everyone working together that we have
this amazing space conserved for the future. Having said that, there are some
concerns regarding public safety. That would be top of my list because (the
estuary) is used a lot by the public. The actual area would have to be very
defined as to where it would take place, and I believe they’ve considered that
aspect.”

MOE makes several mentions of public safety in the June 30
letter. The forthcoming plan will address RCMP and District of Squamish
concerns, with measures proposed including things like mandatory briefing and
training for permit holders, updating signage, government monitoring and
effective media communications.

While it’s not clear how many species might be a target of the
plan, Canada Geese are mentioned in the MOE letter. Measuring the trial’s
success will partly involve the assessment of “distribution and behaviour of
nuisance Canada Geese around Squamish as a result of hunting activities and
harvests.”

Further, the district’s discharge of firearms bylaw will have
to be modified to permit hunting within the proposed boundaries. MOE has
offered to help the district refine its legislation accordingly.

MOE hopes the trial will produce successful results allowing
for a new hunting season to open up in the estuary before September 2009.

“In addition,” wrote McGuire, “it will allow both Environment
Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Services and ourselves to once again effectively
manage wildlife populations (especially the increasing resident population of
nuisance Canada Geese) in the WMA for the benefit of Squamish communities and
their many turfed public recreation facilities.”